the zemindar and the indigo planter quiet; the first is to get the protection of a man like the Moulvi Saheb here: the second to become a Christian. I have seen a good many ryots, under the protection of the padri, lording it over their fellows, like so many Brahmin bulls among a herd of cows: there is power in the padri's money, in his signature, and in his recommendation. 'People always look after their own' says a proverb. I do not say that the ryots are all really Christian at heart, but those that go to the padri's church get a good many advantages, and in police cases a letter from the padri is of great service to them." Bahulya replied: "That may be all very true but it is a very bad thing for a man to renounce his faith." They all at once said: "Very true, very true, and on this account we never go near the padri."
They were all gossiping away merrily like this, when suddenly a police inspector, some jemadars, and sergeants of police, rushed forward and caught hold of Bahulya by the arms, saying: "You have committed forgery along with Thakchacha: there is a warrant for your apprehension." The men who had been with Bahulya were seized with terror when they heard these words, and ran off as fast as they could. Bahulya appealed to the avarice of the inspector and the sergeant of police, but they would not listen to the offer of a bribe for fear of losing their appointment; they seized him and took him off with them. As the news spread in Upper Bhowanipore, a great crowd collected, and some of the more respectable people in the crowd exclaimed;-- "The punishment of crime must come sooner or later: if people who have been perpetrating crimes pass their lives in happiness, then must the creation be all a delusion and a lie; but such can never be." As Bahulya proceeded on his way, with his head bent low, he met a good many people, but he
